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Post by Dawn on Feb 3, 2009 18:09:21 GMT -5
Jay & the Techniques are best known for their 1967 hit Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie, which still gets occasional play on oldies stations. Let's look at a few other singles by them that seem to have been more overlooked.
First is Keep the Ball Rollin', released in late 1967. It's an interesting mix of northern soul and bubblegum styles. I've heard this only a handful of times on the radio, mostly on the syndicated oldies programs.
Next is Strawberry Shortcake, from 1968. There are a lot of similarities to Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie, although it didn't do nearly as well on the charts, barely reaching the top 40. Love these videos with the cool vintage pictures!
Last is their final single, Baby Make Your Own Sweet Music, also from 1968. This missed the top 40 entirely, peaking at #64. It's a good song, although not quite as hook-filled and catchy as their earlier hits.
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Post by m c dornan on Feb 3, 2009 18:58:52 GMT -5
Ya done got Strawberry Shortcake twice! ;D
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Post by Dawn on Feb 3, 2009 19:07:14 GMT -5
Ya done got Strawberry Shortcake twice! ;D Ooops, you are right, MC - somehow the "Baby Make..." link must not have copied and pasted correctly. I just fixed it in the original post. |
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Post by H2IZCOOL on Feb 3, 2009 20:55:34 GMT -5
Jay & the Techniques are best known for their 1967 hit Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie, which still gets occasional play on oldies stations. Let's look at a few other singles by them that seem to have been more overlooked. First is Keep the Ball Rollin', released in late 1967. It's an interesting mix of northern soul and bubblegum styles. I've heard this only a handful of times on the radio, mostly on the syndicated oldies programs. Next is Strawberry Shortcake, from 1968. There are a lot of similarities to Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie, although it didn't do nearly as well on the charts, barely reaching the top 40. Love these videos with the cool vintage pictures! Last is their final single, Baby Make Your Own Kind of Music, also from 1968. This missed the top 40 entirely, peaking at #64. It's a good song, although not quite as hook-filled and catchy as their earlier hits. I'm familiar with Apple Peaches Pumpkin Pie as well as Keep The Ball Rolling, and have both 45s. I thought I might have known Strawberry Shortcake, but I guess not. They are yet another '60s group who got a sound and stuck with it. It was usually good for a big hit and maybe a small hit, and that would be it. The really good group could stick a new sound in early enough to launch a real career. |
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Post by Dawn on Feb 3, 2009 23:07:59 GMT -5
I'm familiar with Apple Peaches Pumpkin Pie as well as Keep The Ball Rolling, and have both 45s. I thought I might have known Strawberry Shortcake, but I guess not. They are yet another '60s group who got a sound and stuck with it. It was usually good for a big hit and maybe a small hit, and that would be it. The really good group could stick a new sound in early enough to launch a real career. I remember looking high and low for the Keep the Ball Rollin' 45 years ago, and never did come across a good copy. I did eventually find one at a garage sale, but it was all scratched up. You make a good point about many of the groups having a particular sound that was good for a hit or two, but not an extended span. Looking through the Whitburn, there were a lot of two or three-hit wonder groups from the mid-to-late '60s, and generally the hits came within a one or two year period. |
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Post by H2IZCOOL on Feb 4, 2009 9:17:01 GMT -5
I'm familiar with Apple Peaches Pumpkin Pie as well as Keep The Ball Rolling, and have both 45s. I thought I might have known Strawberry Shortcake, but I guess not. They are yet another '60s group who got a sound and stuck with it. It was usually good for a big hit and maybe a small hit, and that would be it. The really good group could stick a new sound in early enough to launch a real career. I remember looking high and low for the Keep the Ball Rollin' 45 years ago, and never did come across a good copy. I did eventually find one at a garage sale, but it was all scratched up. You make a good point about many of the groups having a particular sound that was good for a hit or two, but not an extended span. Looking through the Whitburn, there were a lot of two or three-hit wonder groups from the mid-to-late '60s, and generally the hits came within a one or two year period. 45 years ago??  Weren't you kinda young to be into music then?  ;D |
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Post by Dawn on Feb 4, 2009 11:34:41 GMT -5
I remember looking high and low for the Keep the Ball Rollin' 45 years ago, and never did come across a good copy. I did eventually find one at a garage sale, but it was all scratched up. You make a good point about many of the groups having a particular sound that was good for a hit or two, but not an extended span. Looking through the Whitburn, there were a lot of two or three-hit wonder groups from the mid-to-late '60s, and generally the hits came within a one or two year period. 45 years ago?? Weren't you kinda young to be into music then? ;D LOL!! Well, I started collecting music early - but not quite that early!!  ;D |
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Post by Ken on Feb 4, 2009 23:43:14 GMT -5
Like Keith and 98.6, Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie is the only track by the band I was familiar with. There really are many similarities between "Strawberry Shortcake" and "Apples." I like all three tracks with my fave being "Baby Make Your Own Kind Of Music."
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Post by Dawn on Feb 5, 2009 12:22:53 GMT -5
Like Keith and 98.6, Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie is the only track by the band I was familiar with. There really are many similarities between "Strawberry Shortcake" and "Apples." I like all three tracks with my fave being "Baby Make Your Own Kind Of Music." Glad you liked them, Ken! Yes, it's startling how similar those two songs are. That might have been part of the reason Strawberry Shortcake didn't do better chartwise, although there were a number of singles from that time that sounded kinda similar to others done by the same artist. |
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;D
